Irene Fern (Lingwood) Wilhelm
May 5, 1928 - August 28, 2017
Obituary
Irene Fern (Lingwood) Wilhelm May 5, 1928 – August 28, 2017. Born to Lewis G. Lingwood and Fern (Dunbar) Lingwood Irene grew up in Burien (Seattle, Washington), surrounded by her father’s apple orchard. She attended Highline High School, played the marimba in school bands and attended Washington State and University of Washington, majoring in Art and Interior Design. Irene’s older sister May Osburn-Pendergrass and younger brother James Lingwood still live in Seattle.
In 1947, Irene met the love of her life Robert B. Wilhelm (Seattle) in Mt Rainier National Park. They married June 12, 1950. Bob became a Westin Hotel executive at hotels throughout the USA, finally landing at the St. Francis Hotel in San Francisco.
After raising the family, Irene joined Joszi Meskan & Associates in San Francisco and worked among leading creatives of the San Francisco design community. She founded Swiss Silk Company, specializing in custom designed silk scarves and ties for historic hotels, resorts, museums, foundations, wineries, and corporations.
Irene and Bob have three daughters, Karen Wilhelm Buckley (Richard), San Francisco, Gayle Wilhelm, Charlo, MT, and Diane Wilhelm Medler (Jeffrey), Bigfork, Montana and grandchildren Alina Medler (Ben Fractenberg), NY, Moreia Buckley, SF, Kinzie Buckley, NY, and Conrad Medler (deceased).
Quiet and elegant, Irene was a designer of lasting beauty. A gracious hostess and mentor, she loved her family and friends, the symphony, museums, walking by the ocean, rainbows, and sunsets.
A loving wife, mother, and grandmother she will be missed by all.
In lieu of flowers, the family appreciates donations to Hospice By The Bay, 17 E. Sir Francis Drake Blvd, Larkspur, CA 94939, or a charity of your choice.
There will be a private graveside service at Washington Memorial Park, Seattle and a Celebration of Life in Mill Valley, CA.
